Feeding Cattle Following a Disaster
Meeting the most
basic nutrient requirements needed for survival
should be the goal when
feeding cattle following a
disaster. Knowing these
nutrient requirements and
the types of routine and
alternative feedstuffs that
can meet them is important. Two scenarios are most likely during and/or following
a disaster: 1) feed/hay will need to be hauled to stranded
cattle; or 2) feed/hay will need to be provided to cattle that
are penned. In either situation cattle will be stressed, so
feeding decisions should be made with care.
Acceptable Concentrates for Emergency Feeding
Feeding Basics
Feeding Practices to Avoid
Cattle should consume a minimum of 1 percent to
2 percent of their body weight per day of roughage. In
general, grass or grass hay is best. Alternatives to grass
hay are legume hay or pelleted or cubed roughage.
Alfalfa-based hays are typically high in energy and should
be fed with caution. For adult beef and dairy cattle, 20-25
lb/head/day of grass hay is best. Ideally, hay should be
no less than 8 percent protein and 50 percent TDN (total
digestible nutrients). If hay is of lower quality, 1 lb of a high
protein supplement (20 percent to 30 percent protein) will
help provide adequate nitrogen to the rumen and encourage forage intake. Calves weighing less than 500 lb can
survive on good-quality hay, but intake can be a limiting
factor in meeting their requirements. Thus, 1-3 lb of an
energy supplement may be useful.
Concentrate feeds should be avoided as a sole source
of nutrition in emergency situations. When hay is not
available, however, or when transporting large amounts of
hay is not possible, concentrates may be necessary. Some
concentrate feeds are less likely to cause digestive upsets
than others, so careful selection of a concentrate feed
can minimize problems. Some cattle may not be familiar
with the concentrate supplement and will not eat, and
some cattle “boss” other cattle out of the feeding area and
become candidates for overeating.
Concentrates to Avoid
• Corn
• Brewer’s and distillers’ grains
• Rice bran
• Soybean hull pellets
• Cottonseed hull pellets
• Whole cottonseed
• Rice millfeed
• Wheat middlings
• Hominy
• Corn gluten feed
• Beet pulp
• Barley
• Oats
• Abrupt changes to the diet
• Penning cattle where only
potentially toxic plants are
available, unless adequate
feedstuffs are provided
• Feeding hay or grain
contaminated with
chemicals or pesticides
Feeding Water-damaged Hay or Feed
Hay and feed that have been flood damaged may
grow mold. Moldy hay and feeds can be toxic and usually
lose most of their nutritive value. Moldy feeds may make
cattle go off feed and become depressed and can occasionally cause abortions and death. Inhalation of molds
can cause respiratory disease. Young animals are more
susceptible than adults.
If Moldy Feeds Are the Only Option
• Test first to know levels of mycotoxins.
• Reserve moldy feeds for adult, nonpregnant,
nonlactating animals.
• Dilute moldy feeds with safe feeds.
• Watch closely for signs of illness.
• Add mycotoxin-absorbing products.
Salvaging Flood-damaged
Hay and Feeds
Salvaging flooded feed stores is possible, but it must
be done very quickly since mold begins to grow quickly,
especially in hot weather. If grain is stored in a bin, any dry
grain should be removed from the top. The remaining wet
grain can be ensiled, taken to a grain dryer or spread out
to dry (less than 6 inches deep and stirred daily). Flooded
silage should not be fed even if it looks normal.
Flooded hay may be difficult to salvage. It is also at
risk of spontaneous combustion, so should be spread out
to dry away from buildings. Temperature of the hay can be
checked by placing a pipe deep into the middle of the bale
and lowering a thermometer on string down the pipe. Take
Authors:
Christine B. Navarre, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Extension Veterinarian,
Department of Veterinary Science
Jason E. Rowntree, Ph.D., Extension Beef
Specialist, Department of Animal Science
This material is based upon work supported
by the Cooperative State, Research,
Education and Extension Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, under Award No.
2006-41210-03363.
a reading after 20 minutes. If hay temperature is higher
than 140 degrees, it should be removed from buildings.
Bales should be moved slowly and handled gently since
air contact may cause combustion.
References:
Gadberry, S. “Alternative Feeds for Beef Cattle.” University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Web
article.
“Disaster Handbook, 1998 National Edition.” Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
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Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station
David J. Boethel, Vice Chancellor and Director
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director
Pub. 2949-Q 7/06
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